Imaging research at NU centers on MRI of the heart, fMRI in the brain, and optical imaging of cells and tissues. On the Chicago campus, a collaborative Siemens Medical Systems/ Northwestern Research group investigates cardiovascular MR applications. On the same campus, another collaborative group - the Cognitive Brain Mapping Group - uses fMRI to study mental activity required during specific tasks. Complementing the human MR imaging research on the Chicago campus is the animal MR imaging work at the Center for MR Research in Evanston, sponsored by the research arm of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, on of NU's five principal affiliate teaching hospitals. Signal analysis also focuses on problems related to the heart and brain. The optical imaging program is a collaborative effort of researchers on the Evanston campus as well as clinicians at the Chicago campus.
One major effort involves the use of MRI for new measures of myocardial variability following ischemia (Klocke), while another is concerned with MR techniques and new contrast agents to image flow in the coronary circulation (Carroll, Li, Parrish). BME forms one component of a broad effort across the university in functional MRI (Parrish).
Imaging can also be combined with signal analysis. Optical Coherence Tomography methods are being developed for analysis of ocular blood flow (Glucksberg, Walsh,).Novel methods of spectroscopic imaging and microscopy are being developed for quantitative analysis of submicron and nanometer architecture of living cells and parametric imaging of tissue properties in vivo (Backman). Advanced signal processing is important in the study of cardiac electrical activity, the characterization of arrhythmias, and the development of cardiac pacing and defibrillation systems (Sahakian). High-resolution EEG measurements are co-registered with MR images in stroke patients (Dewald)in order to elucidate the basic pathophysiological mechanisms underlying abnormal muscle constraints, spasticity, weakness, and muscle properties following brain injury.
On the Chicago campus, a major effort is underway to extend the use of MRI incardiovascular pathobiology and myocardial viability following ischemia (Klocke, Li, Parrish). In addition, we have active programs in the field of prosthetics design, biomedical implants (see Materials, Cells, and Tissues) and artificial lungs (see Cardiopulmonary and Vascular Engineering).
Diagnostics and therapeutic applications of light have stimulated studies of optical instrumentation for biomedical applications and the interaction of light with biological tissue. We are developing therapeutic laser applications in the areas of ophthalmology, dentistry, and tissue welding. To aid the development of these applications, we are conducting basic studies of the interaction of laser light with soft and hard tissues (Spears, Walsh, Backman), developing novel uses for coherence-based imaging techniques (Walsh), and using fiber optic instrumentation for minimally invasive optical diagnosis of disease(Backman). Ultra fast lasers that are tunable from the UV to the IR are used to understand laser interactions with important molecules like collagen, and other studies examine electron transfer processes in small molecular complexes and hydrogen bonding forces in peptides (Spears).
